Page 25 of Maple Sugar Mix-Up
“Of course.”
Jace quickly brought it over and settled it on a tray table by the couch.
I pulled up my dashboard, navigated to the book page, and slid my laptop closer to him. “Just hit publish.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He kissed me, then clicked the button. It wasn’t a super dramatic moment, but it was a quiet, perfect one. Jace closed the top with a smile and then laughed. “I can’t believe I just helped write and publish a book. A Victoria Peppers book!”
I started to smile back, when I felt a literal pop and found myself sitting in an increasingly hot puddle of liquid.
“Oh shit,” I gasped.
“What?” Jace asked in alarm.
I put my hands over my stomach and exhaled. “My water just broke.”
Chapter Eight
Jace
“What took you so long?” I demanded as Paul entered the room.
“Relax!” he laughed. “The nurses said he’s only four centimeters, we’ve got plenty of time.”
Nevertheless, my heart was in my throat as he settled in between Ashton’s legs and starting examining him. “Looking good,” he said, “looking good.” He turned a grin to my omega. “Much better than last time.”
Ashton laughed nervously. “Yeah, I feel much better.” He gasped in pain. “Well, mostly.”
“Ready for an epidural?” Paul asked.
Ashton blew out a long breath and nodded. I held his hand and we waited for the team with the epidural to arrive.
The hustle and bustle of the hospital was a lot more stressful when I was with a patient, than just sitting at the front desk. I suddenly understood why not a shift went by without someone frantic rushing up to my desk with a deluge of questions.
I listened in alarm as Ashton was given instructions for receiving the epidural, but he seemed quite calm. It was funny, it was almost like he had been nervous for most of the pregnancy, but now he was fine and I was the worried one.
They inserted a needle and I almost had to close my eyes. Once it was all taped up along Ashton’s back, he leaned back and a moment later heaved a sigh of relief.
“Gods, that’s better,” he moaned.
Paul checked him out and announced that Ashton was progressing nicely and he’d be back soon. It would probably be time to push soon.
I did my best not to pace while we waited. A nurse checked Ashton while we passed the time checking the incredible sales numbers for the book I helped write – I still couldn’t believe how generous they were to let me contributeandclaim the royalties as mine. Sure, Ashton and I would be combining finances. But the fact I actually had something to contribute and combine with his was what mattered. It felt good. And while I wasn’t ready to quit what felt like a real job, yet, it was nice to know I’d be able to without feeling guilty. Especially once we all started writing books together.
Hah, I couldn’t believe I was going to write actual Victoria Peppers books! Not to mention part of the family.
And then, it was time to push.
Ashton clutched my hand as he bore down for his first push. I thought it was supposed to take hours, but I wasn’t at all prepared for a fast delivery.
“You’re a champ, you’re doing great,” Paul encouraged.
And before I knew it, there was a baby in his arms.
My baby.
No,ourbaby.
When he was clean I carefully passed him to Ashton and watched him smile down at our son. I had never felt happier.
“Thanks, Paul,” I said.
“Of course, just doing my job.”
Yeah. That and so much more.
